Chapter 881

Ohara had clearly misunderstood Ian's gaze. The storage box he had pulled from his pocket dimension earlier was probably to blame.

Of course, Ian didn't bother correcting her. "If you're really planning to throw them away, I won't refuse. I've got plenty of people who lose their minds over magical tools and relics."

Ohara smiled knowingly. "So you intend to distribute them among your subordinates. Very well. It'll take a little longer, but I'll sort everything first."

There was even a hint of pride in her expression. She had probably been reluctant to abandon a collection she'd spent years gathering.

"Quite a few of them are broken, useless, or cursed."

Ian nodded. "I'll help. Let's start by setting aside the broken ones."

Ohara's smile deepened. "So you're not worried about the curses at all. Then again, I suppose there's no cursed artifact capable of harming the Tower Master."

"Let's test whether that's actually true."

"I admit, I'm curious about that myself."

Smiling like a proper witch, Ohara turned forward again. The closed door in the middle of the wall was already drawing near.

Reaching out, she grasped the handle.

Whoosh... Creak—

The spell circuits lining the wall rippled, and the sealed door slowly swung open. At last, the sounds from beyond the wall filtered faintly into the room.

Ian glanced once more at the spell circuits as their magic faded.

Yeah. Recruiting her was definitely the right decision.

The enchantments clearly blocked not only sound but also magic and curses. There were undoubtedly defensive measures hidden within them as well. That was probably how Ohara had managed to conceal her identity all this time.

Of course, it wasn't truly surprising. After all, she was skilled enough to create circuits capable of suppressing the Gray Magic Tower's restrictions.

As they stepped into the corridor, Ian addressed Ohara. "Theodore, Hector's lieutenant, wants to speak with you."

Walking at an unhurried pace, she glanced over her shoulder. "About what?"

"He's Blue," Ian added casually. "The kind that hates the tower."

Ohara faltered slightly. "So he's in the same position I was."

Ian shrugged. "He learned that I'm the new master of the Gray Magic Tower and became curious. So I gave him a heads-up. You can refuse if you want."

Ohara shrugged as well. "I was wondering why he kept looking at me so strangely. I thought perhaps he'd fallen for me."

A low laugh escaped Ian. "So you're disappointed?"

"Of course not. I'll speak with him once. Though whether he's prepared for that conversation is another matter," she answered immediately.

As she entered the kitchen, she glanced at Ian. "The preparation process tends to be rather painful."

"I can imagine."

Ian nodded readily and stepped into the kitchen, filled with strange smells and oppressive heat. Privately, he hoped Theodore would accept it.

The more ways there were to gain experience, the better.

His eyes narrowed slightly at that moment. Not because of the mountain of questionable food Max was preparing.

"Meanwhile, we were being dragged into the whirlpool currents. Beyond the dense fog rose a shadow so immense it was almost impossible to believe." Elia's voice was drifting through the wooden door on the opposite side of the room.

The fact that her quiet voice carried so clearly only meant the hall beyond had fallen completely silent.

"And alongside trails of ominous chaos, it unleashed a shriek so terrible it felt as though the sky itself was collapsing. People began losing consciousness one after another."

Everyone was clearly listening to her story with rapt attention. That was probably why Ohara's pace quickened as she approached the door.

"And then, at last, we saw it."

Her voice rose with dramatic emphasis.

"A pair of enormous golden wings cutting across the heavens, illuminating the ominous fog."

Where did her shyness go?

Suppressing a laugh, Ian listened to the hushed gasps spreading throughout the building.

Elia was recounting the heavily embellished version she and Diana had put together. And she was doing it with a perfectly straight face.

“That's right, the very Gold—” Elia's voice trailed off the moment Ohara opened the door and stepped into the tavern.

Ian followed her as though nothing was amiss and entered the room.

The soldiers stationed sparsely around the edges of the room all turned at once. So did Hector, seated at two dining tables pushed together in the center, and Theodore standing behind him.

“Ah... You've arrived?”

Elia, who was sitting across from Hector, reacted the same way. So did Charlotte and Diana, seated on either side of her.

Ohara stepped aside and came to a stop.

Watching Elia rise with an awkward smile, Ian casually said, “Looks like you all got here first.”

Exchanging a glance with Diana as she stood as well, Elia replied, “We finished the revised report. Palmer and Priest Miguel told us to deliver it first.”

“Ah, so it's finally done,” Ian answered as he walked toward the table without slowing.

Ohara naturally followed a step behind him.

Elia nodded. “It still needs a bit more polishing, but please take a look and let me know what you think. After a few more rounds of revisions, we'll refine it completely—”

“You don't need to go that far. The Acting Tower Master agreed to review and edit it personally.”

“Ah, the Acting Tower Master? In that case...”

Elia paused before slowly nodding. Unlike Diana, who let out a relieved sigh, there was a faint trace of disappointment in her eyes.

By then, Ian had stopped beside Charlotte and added, “Any issues with preparing the camp?”

“No. The waitress showed us the vacant houses and pointed out a suitable place to set up camp. It's right nearby. They'll probably come report soon, but I'll go check again.” Charlotte immediately turned to leave.

Reaching out and catching the armored arm, Ian shook his head. “It's fine. They'll handle it. If they're taking too long, we can go check later.”

Charlotte nodded. “Alright.”

Hector rose cautiously from his seat and said. "Then we'll take our leave. Please enjoy your discussion. It's unfortunate, but the rest can wait until later—"

"Send your men ahead. You two should stay a little longer. I still have something to discuss." Ian cut him off and turned toward him.

Hector blinked in surprise before nodding. “Understood, Your Grace.”

He immediately tilted his head toward the soldiers lined along the edges of the room. The men began filing out, their disappointment evident.

“I suppose introductions should come first. This is Ohara. As you can see, she's no ordinary innkeeper. And from here on, she'll be traveling with us.”

Gesturing to Ohara standing to his right, Ian looked around the group and continued, “This is my lieutenant and the Great Chieftain of the beastfolk, Charlotte. This kid is my goddaughter and an assistant professor at the Imperial Academy, Elia Meyer. And this is Diana, Acting Head of House Erenos. Introduce yourselves.”

Receiving the group's attention, Ohara bent her knees in an Imperial-style curtsy as she said, “It's a pleasure to meet you. I am Ohara Pandel, a Gray Mage and the Acting Tower Master.”

That alone was enough to make Elia's eyes widen. “The Acting... Tower Master?”

Not only Hector, who had been halfway through sitting back down, but even Theodore stared at her in shock.

Glancing at the soldiers pouring out through the door, Ian nodded. “She’s the most qualified person for the role in many respects. As you know, she's also the one who originally reported the magic tower's location.”

“Then, while we're staying at the magic tower, should we follow her orders?” Charlotte quietly asked.

Diana turned toward her and furrowed her brow. “Are we really going to...”

Ian nodded as though he hadn't heard her at all. “I hadn't told you that part yet, but yes. That's how it's going to be.”

Diana's frown deepened for a moment.

“Let's finish the detailed discussion in a bit,” Ian added as he turned toward the tavern entrance. “The others are coming.”

Beyond the soldiers filing out of the tavern, the figure of a gray-furred beastfolk was approaching.

“Oh?” A low exclamation escaped Ohara's lips immediately afterward. She had likely spotted the human being escorted along with him, held firmly by the arm.

It was Sanford, wearing a sour expression.

A cold smile formed at the corner of her lips as she added, “You've brought me quite an unexpected gift as well, Agent of the Saint.”

Ian shrugged. “Well, have a proper reunion and come back when you're done. Just don't kill him.”

“It won't be easy, but I'll manage.”

Casting the group a look that seemed to apologize for the interruption, Ohara leisurely started walking forward. She set a liquor bottle down on the table while subtly clenching her fist.

The moment Sanford stepped into the room, his face twisted. “Oh no... damn it...”

“So you've finally decided whether to repay your debt or die, Sanford Plum?”

At the icy voice that followed, Sanford forced out an awkward laugh. “H-Haha... of course, Ohara. Now, let's talk this through first. Talk it ou—ugh!”

Meanwhile, Nehat exchanged a glance with Ian, shoved Sanford toward Ohara as though tossing him over, and shut the door.

Taking a seat in the chair Charlotte brought him, Ian asked, “I thought you'd come with Miguel. Still a lot left to do?”

“The priest isn't in any condition to move properly right now. Lily's staying with him.”

Ian let out a dry chuckle. “Ah, right. Land sickness.”

He could practically picture Miguel's current state.

Standing behind Ian, Charlotte added, “What about the camp?”

“It's in the final stages. Palmer said he'd oversee everything until the end,” Nehat answered at once and took up a position with his back to the door, almost as though guarding it.

“Our group has grown again. The Witch of Barnaso, huh? This is my first time meeting her, but I already like her,” said Elia. She was watching Ohara drag Sanford by the collar toward the opposite corner of the room.

Sanford kept shooting pleading looks around for help, but she ignored him completely.

Suppressing a laugh, Ian added, “She'll be a great help to you too. Her enchantment skills are exceptional. And she owns a mountain of relics and magical artifacts.”

“Relics and magical artifacts!?” Elia's eyes widened as she repeated the words. Her mismatched eyes sparkled even brighter.

“Yeah. Even a few cursed monstrosities. I’m heading back to see them tomorrow anyway. Come with me then.”

Elia immediately nodded. “Yes!”

Meanwhile, Diana clicked her tongue in displeasure once again. It was obvious she wasn't thrilled about having to spend more time underground.

After giving her a look that told her to be patient, Ian finally turned to Hector. “There's something I want to ask.”

“P-Please, go ahead, Your Grace!” Hector, who had been sneaking glances at Ohara and Sanford with unconcealed interest, immediately straightened his posture.

Picking up the liquor bottle Ohara had left behind, Ian continued, “Have you already decided on your next destination?”

As Ian took a drink from the bottle, Hector answered cautiously, “We've been considering heading South, but we haven't made a final decision yet.”

Nodding, Ian lowered the bottle from his lips and said, “If you haven't decided yet, how about returning to the Isles?”

“Pardon?”